Moistener.



Patented July I, 1902.. S. DUNCAN.

MUISTENER. (Application filed. Nov. 12, 1901.

(No Model.)

/N VENT 0H Lewis Jiflzuzcam WITNESSES:

met.

ATENT .LEVIS S. DUNCAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

'M O l ST EN ER SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 703,771, dated. July 1, 1902.

Application filed November 12, 1901. Serial No. 81,984. (No model.)

velop-fiaps and the like; and the object is to provide a moistener of simple construction by means of which envelops may be rapidly moistened and the moisture spread evenly and thinly, thus preventing the forcing out of water and gum onto the envelop-body when 7 the flap is pressed down.

I will describe a moistener embodying my invention and then point out the novel features in the appended claims.

Referenceis to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is 'a' perspective view of a moistener embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a section thereof'on the line 0: so of Fig. 3, and Fig. 3 is a section on the'line y y of Fig.2.

The moistener comprises a watertank or vessel 1, made of any'sui'table material and sufficiently heavy to prevent itssliding about" during the operation of moistening envelops or the like. The tank has a removable cover 2,- which may be made of'sheet metal, and this cover on its upper surface is inclined downward in both directions lengthwise of the moistener from a central point.- The object of'thns inclining the cover is;to permitj of the quick and easy sliding of envelop-flaps over the moistening-wick in either direction. At its center the cover 2 has two transverse openings 3, through which the wick material 4 passes, the said wick, of course, at its outer side passing over the bridge-piece between the two openings 8.

Adjustable above theexposed or upper portion of the wick is a presser or guide plate 5. On its under side this presser or guide plate is concaved to conform substantially to the formation of the exposed portion of the wick. The side portions, however, will extend slightly below the top of the Wick without touching the same, and therefore the flaps Will be pressed evenly upon the wick material asthe envelop is drawn through. To provide for diiferent thicknesses of paper, the plate 5 is vertically adjustable.

As here shown, it has a threaded shank portion 6, extended through a slot in a plate 7, attached to one side of the cover 2, and it is held as adjusted by means of a thumb-nut 8, engaging with said screw-threaded shank.

In operation it is obvious that water will be carried up in the wick by capillary attraction. The envelop-flap is to be passed over the Wick and underneath the plate 5. As before stated, the envelop may be entered from either side, and by placing it flat upon an inclined portion of the cover it will be guided to the wick. i

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A moistener, comprising a tank for wa ter, a cover therefor having transverse openings, a wick looped through said openings, and a presseror guide plate vertically adjustable overthe wick, substantially as speci- 2. A moistener, comprising a tank, a cover therefor having its, upper surface inclined .downwardfrom about its center in both directions, the said cover at its centrzilportion being provided with openings, a wick material looped through said openings, and a ve rtically-adjustable 'pres ser-plate concaved on its under side and arranged above the wick, substantially as specified.

3: A moistener, comprising a tank, a cover therefor provided with openings, a wick .looped through said openings, and a vertically-adj ustable presser or guide plate above the exposed. portion of the Wick, the said presser or guide plate being longitudinally channeled on its under side, substantially as specified. I

t. A moistener, comprisinga tank, a cover therefor having its upper surface inclined downward from about its center iu'both directions, the said cover being provided at its center with transverse openings, a wick looped through said openings, a slotted plate atname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEWIS S. DUNCAN.

tached to one side of the cover, a pi'esserplate arranged above the exposed portion of the Wick, a threaded shank'on said plate extended through the slot in the plate attached 1 5 t0 the cover, and a clamping-nut on said VVit-nesses:

shank, substantially as specified. i O. R. FERGUSON,

- EVERARD B. MARSHALL.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 

